As Shep and Callie continue their story together, things become increasingly tough. The pack is always on the move, constantly shifting from one place to the next, unable to rest for too long. The pack has grown so big, Shep doesn't even know every dog! Most are unable to hunt; Shep had to regretfully reduce his pack to searching for live kibble instead bagged kibble. They even found a dog, Honey, with a cat-friend, Fuzz, who can bark! Hesitantly, and unwilling to leave a dog behind, Shep let the duo in. As he and the pack move out once more to find a new den, however, they come across an over-turned bus. The door is open, the windows are closed, and all holes are blocked with garbage. Only one entrance to guard - and with the seats on their sides, it forms the perfect sized cave-like structure for every dog. Yet there is one problem - a female dog, known as Blaze, has made her home inside, refuses to go, and is ready to defend her new home with her dying breath. As they spur on an agreement to allow Blaze into Shep's pack, things are settled, and they are allowed to stay. As Shep and Blaze further introduce themselves, Shep realizes there is something he adores about Blaze - he likes her. The two go out hunting the next day, and find a massive, over-turned ship. It's even better than the bus! The pack moves in, and begin their search for organization. As they settle, moods shift. Callie practically hates Blaze, the food must be rationed, even though there isn't nearly enough, and the dogs are growing wild. Shep tries everything in his power to stop the madness, and every corner he turns leads to a dead end. Oscar, the young pup who absolutely adores Shep, has begun to spur on stories of Shep being the Great Wolf's Champion, the Storm Shaker. Shep hates these lies - the Great Wolf is special, his story should never be tainted. As these lies spread, so does unwilling loyalty. Finally, Shep puts an end to these lies. The dogs, however, are still wild - and infuriated with the kibble stolen by cats. As rumors spread, Blaze takes control, and throws Honey and Fuzz out. No cat can be trusted, but Shep knows Fuzz had nothing to with it. To make matters worse, Callie ate a strange herb and became horribly ill, Oscar ran away in fury at the stopping of his stories, and Blaze is the new Alpha - and Zeus is alive. He survived, and is coming for Shep - he already took out half Shep's pack with his new pack of Wild dogs. Higgins is dead, Virgil is dead, everyone Shep cares about practically. When he journeyed separately to find Honey, he found her dying - soon, she passed, and Fuzz was found - he joined the pack once more, only because Honey wished him to with her dying breath. Fuzz has a new found honor for Shep, though - he now sees Shep acting with honor. Shep has grown tired of all this, and finally stands up for what he believes is right. As the wild dogs attack, Zeus is almost dead, when suddenly the men in black arrive. They dart all the dogs they can, and the remainders scurry away. Only Shep and seven others made it - time to go rescue his friends.
I absolutely loved the story line behind this book. I personally sided with Blaze and the others at certain points, because I had to agree - Shep needed to step up. I was so, so proud of him when he finally began to make strong decisions. However, I think the end to this story came a bit too suddenly. The ending popped up out of nowhere - I was surprised to see I only had one page left in the book. Maybe the author could have dragged out the end of the battle a little longer to an enjoyable amount? Not saying I don't like the ending, but just maybe it could be been slightly longer, but not long enough that you being to think, 'when does this book end?'. The story was fantastic, though. I am so excited to read the third and final book of this trilogy! :) ( )